Synthetic Winch Rope for Forestry Winch

[Supraman0614]

I have a Farmi JL501 winch on the back of my tractor, and I'm looking at replacing the cable soon. Does anyone have experience with using synthetic cable in place of steel for this application? I use chokers, so I would not be wrapping the synthetic rope around the tree for skidding. I replaced the steel cable on my ATV winch several years ago with synthetic rope, and haven't had any issues with breakage. Just wondering if anyone else on here uses it for their skidder winches.

 

[ArlyA]

I like your idea and use poly straps and ropes here much,,,, but seems like the abrasion would make there lives short. Real short.

 

[jyoutz]

I like your idea and use poly straps and ropes here much,,,, but seems like the abrasion would make there lives short. Real short.

I agree. Skidding rope is drug on the ground. It would be subject to abrasion during each skid.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have a Farmi JL501 winch on the back of my tractor, and I'm looking at replacing the cable soon. Does anyone have experience with using synthetic cable in place of steel for this application? [[[I use chokers, so I would not be wrapping the synthetic rope around the tree for skidding.]]] I replaced the steel cable on my ATV winch several years ago with synthetic rope, and haven't had any issues with breakage. Just wondering if anyone else on here uses it for their skidder winches.

I agree. Skidding rope is drug on the ground. It would be subject to abrasion during each skid.

Incidental contact maybe.

 

[oosik]

I have used a winch to move a tree, once. I have used both electric and gear driven winches - hundreds of times - to retrieve stuck vehicles. I've always used steel winch line - never any type of synthetic line.

One constant concern. Winch line breaking and snapping back. We would always throw a wool blanket over the winch line. This would effectively limit the snap back if the line broke.

I wonder - would snap back be a greater concern with a synthetic line. Perhaps more stretch but, certainly, less line weight.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have used a winch to move a tree, once. I have used both electric and gear driven winches - hundreds of times - to retrieve stuck vehicles. I've always used steel winch line - never any type of synthetic line.

One constant concern. Winch line breaking and snapping back. We would always throw a wool blanket over the winch line. This would effectively limit the snap back if the line broke.

I wonder - would snap back be a greater concern with a synthetic line. Perhaps more stretch but, certainly, less line weight.

Depends on the synthetic line. Spectra Fiber is extremely strong and very little stretch.

 

[Fallon]

I have used a winch to move a tree, once. I have used both electric and gear driven winches - hundreds of times - to retrieve stuck vehicles. I've always used steel winch line - never any type of synthetic line.

One constant concern. Winch line breaking and snapping back. We would always throw a wool blanket over the winch line. This would effectively limit the snap back if the line broke.

I wonder - would snap back be a greater concern with a synthetic line. Perhaps more stretch but, certainly, less line weight.

One of the big benefits is synthetic line doesn't whip. It just drops to the ground, unlike steel line & chain that goes flying. At least so I hear. I don't have any yet, but planning on it for the winch I'll be getting for the side by side. I've only used my 12k winch a couple times in the years I've had it & it mostly stays in the shop, or occasionally on the flatdeck trailer, so not much point in upgrading it. Lots of the offroad recovery guys use synthetic & plenty of on-road semi sized recovery guys have moved to synthetic for the ease of handling & safety benefits.

It seems to stand up to usage on a semi wrecker, which isn't always abrasion free. Not sure how that translates to skidder usage, which would be a different ballpark & guaranteed frequent abrasion issues.

 

[LittleBill21]

i would never use a synth rope as a drag, way to much abrasion

 

[jyoutz]

One of the big benefits is synthetic line doesn't whip. It just drops to the ground, unlike steel line & chain that goes flying. At least so I hear. I don't have any yet, but planning on it for the winch I'll be getting for the side by side. I've only used my 12k winch a couple times in the years I've had it & it mostly stays in the shop, or occasionally on the flatdeck trailer, so not much point in upgrading it. Lots of the offroad recovery guys use synthetic & plenty of on-road semi sized recovery guys have moved to synthetic for the ease of handling & safety benefits.

It seems to stand up to usage on a semi wrecker, which isn't always abrasion free. Not sure how that translates to skidder usage, which would be a different ballpark & guaranteed frequent abrasion issues.

Those uses you describe don’t involve dragging the line on the ground over rocks and stumps. Totally different use. Synthetic is strong but abraids far more than steel when it’s drug over rough ground like log skidding does.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a synthetic rope Sherpa Stallion. Love it. What a pleasure to pay out. It’s like 1/20th the weight of cable.